On March 6, 2026, a delegation from the Faculty of Regional Policy, Takasaki City University of Economics (Japan) visited and worked with Thu Dau Mot University to discuss potential cooperation programs in training, scientific research, and academic exchange between the two institutions.
Welcoming and working with the delegation were Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet – Vice President of Thu Dau Mot University, along with representatives from relevant departments. Representing Takasaki City University of Economics were Prof. Tsuneya Sakurai – Dean of the Faculty of Regional Policy, together with lecturers and students.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet expressed his pleasure at welcoming the delegation from the Faculty of Regional Policy, Takasaki City University of Economics to visit and work with Thu Dau Mot University once again. Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet noted that in 2024 and 2025, the university had hosted several visits from lecturers and students of Takasaki City University of Economics for study tours and academic exchanges. These activities have contributed to building an important foundation for cooperation between the two institutions while opening up many opportunities for academic exchange and cultural connection between students and faculty members of both universities. “Following these positive outcomes, Thu Dau Mot University is honored to welcome the delegation from the Faculty of Regional Policy back to further explore our educational and research environment. This visit is expected to promote practical cooperation activities in the coming time, especially in the areas of student exchange, collaborative research, and the organization of international academic programs,” Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet expressed.
Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Tsuneya Sakurai – Dean of the Faculty of Regional Policy, Takasaki City University of Economics – sincerely thanked Thu Dau Mot University for the warm hospitality. The professor shared that the Faculty of Regional Policy focuses on education and research in areas such as regional development, regional planning, tourism management, and public policy. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining economics, management, and policy studies, the faculty aims to research and propose solutions to address development issues in specific localities. According to Prof. Tsuneya Sakurai, strengthening cooperation with higher education institutions in Vietnam, including Thu Dau Mot University, will create valuable opportunities for academic exchange, enabling lecturers and students from both sides to share research experiences and gain deeper insights into regional development models in each country. Prof. Tsuneya Sakurai expressed his confidence that the partnership between the Faculty of Regional Policy and Thu Dau Mot University will continue to expand through student exchange programs, collaborative research, and joint academic activities in the future.
During the meeting, the Social Work program under the School of Law and Management of Thu Dau Mot University introduced its training programs, research orientation, and community engagement activities to the Faculty of Regional Policy. In return, representatives from the Faculty of Regional Policy, Takasaki City University of Economics, shared information about their key academic and research areas, including regional development, regional planning, tourism management, and public policy. Based on the similarities in training orientation and research interests, together with the strengths of each institution, both sides discussed and proposed several specific cooperation initiatives for the coming period.
In particular, the two sides agreed to promote short-term and long-term student exchange programs, creating opportunities for students from both universities to study at the partner institution for one or two semesters. These programs will allow students to experience an international academic environment and enhance cultural exchange. In addition, the two institutions also discussed the possibility of organizing internship programs for students of Thu Dau Mot University at corporations and enterprises in Japan, as well as facilitating internship, research, and experiential programs in Vietnam for students from Takasaki City University of Economics. Furthermore, both sides exchanged ideas about inviting lecturers and researchers from each institution to participate in teaching specialized courses, organizing academic seminars, or jointly conducting research projects.
To establish a legal framework for long-term cooperation, the two parties agreed to promote the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), thereby creating an official cooperation framework between Thu Dau Mot University and the Faculty of Regional Policy, Takasaki City University of Economics. On this basis, the two institutions will coordinate in implementing joint research projects to address practical local issues, leveraging the strengths of the Faculty of Regional Policy in regional development, regional planning, and tourism management, while also promoting the research capacity and enterprise connections of Thu Dau Mot University.
Within the framework of the visit and exchange at Thu Dau Mot University, lecturers and students from the Faculty of Regional Policy, Takasaki City University of Economics toured the campus, facilities, and learning and research environment of the university. In particular, faculty members and students from both institutions also participated in a program to explore local culture and visit typical traditional craft villages in Binh Duong. This activity provided international students with the opportunity to experience the local cultural and social life firsthand, while also strengthening cultural exchange and fostering closer connections and mutual understanding between students of the two universities.